Help with a paper or presentation
Papers and presentations can be intimidating - especially when it's a large project and counts for a large portion of your grade! While there is a lot of flexibility and variation in requirements and expectations, here are some general strategies to help make your project a success.
Getting and staying organized
No matter the size of the paper or presentation, you can always break the project down into smaller chunks, or steps, to keep yourself making steady progress.
Check out these suggested ways to stay organized:
Project management resources
Try using this Project Management Worksheet Download Project Management Worksheet to write out the smaller chunks and deadlines for completing them to stay on track.
Here is a completed Project Management Worksheet Example Download Project Management Worksheet Example if you're not sure how to start.
Completing a research project?
Check out the UNC Library's Research Guides Links to an external site. or ask a librarian Links to an external site. for assistance - they are full of helpful information, tips, and strategies that can make your work much easier!
Avoid procrastination!
Many students put off big projects until the last minute and struggle to complete the work in a short span of time. Check out the Managing my time and tasks page for tips on managing distractions and minimizing procrastinating.
Paper writing strategies
Check out these tips and resources if you are running into challenges when writing your paper:
Got writer's block?
Check out this Symptoms and Cures for Writer's Block Links to an external site. website for a variety of strategies to overcome writer's block at different stages of the writing process.
Also, check out More Strategies for Overcoming Writer's Block Links to an external site. for concrete prompts and exercises to stimulate your brain and get the juices flowing.
Not understanding the assignment?
Check out this "Understanding Writing Assignments" Links to an external site. guide for tips on clearing up expectations and how to get more help if you need it.
This Writing Task Resource List Links to an external site.has a huge list of links to resources for different types of writing assignments and presentations that cover the process from start to finish.
Need help with citations?
Check out these Research and Citations Resources Links to an external site.with citation style guides for APA, MLA, Chicago, AMA, and IEEE.
Are you an ESL student?
Check out this "Tips for Successful Writing in North American Colleges" Links to an external site. guide.
Presentation strategies
Check out these resources to help you nail your next presentation, including advice on public speaking:
Nervous about public speaking?
Check out these Public Speaking and Presentation Tips Links to an external site. for tips on successful and effective public speaking and presentations.
Need some design inspiration?
Need some more inspiration for presentation designs? Check out these Presentation Examples and Templates Links to an external site. with tips on a whole variety of presentations from PowerPoint to videos and Prezis in a variety of subjects from Business and Sales to Research.
Here's an Effective PowerPoint Download Effective PowerPoint - a PowerPoint presentation on making effective PowerPoint presentations.
Struggling with public speaking anxiety?
Visit the Counseling Center Links to an external site. or the Psychological Services Clinic Links to an external site. to speak with a therapist about managing anxiety. Or visit the Help with my stress and anxiety page for more tips.
Bonus materials
Check out these additional resources and ways to apply this content to your life:
Additional resources
Looking for more specific help? Visit the UNC Writing Center Links to an external site. or the Tutorial Services Links to an external site. for guidance and support tailored to your field of study and assignment requirements.
Challenge
Identify something specific that's holding you back on your paper or presentation then visit one of the resources above. Once you find a strategy or tool - try it out!